High school is an opportunity to explore, develop, and discover. You may have traditional classes in Math, Science, English, and Social Studies that have given you a valuable foundation, but some of the best learning comes at the intersection of different classes and subjects; this is where interdisciplinary projects are relevant! These projects will require you to engage with ideas, to think critically, and creatively, and to solve problems in a real-world context.
So whether you're working to complete a project for a teacher, to enhance your GPA or college admission applications, or for your own enjoyment and development, here are 10 interdisciplinary projects to try in high school with hints to get you started!
1. Investigative Journalism: "Witness for the Prosecution"
Subjects: English, Social Studies, Law, Communication, Technology
Are you drawn to mysteries or courtroom drama? As an investigative journalist, you will be allowed to explore your curiosity with a project that could allow you to write about a well-known legal case or classic courtroom drama like Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution, with the hope that you can explain fully and/or apply the critical evidence and research behind the application from legend into reality of law procedures.
How to begin:
Read or watch the play/course.
Research the legal system, courtroom protocol, and forensic science.
Write news articles, opinion pieces, or a podcast about the trial.
Share your findings with your class or school community.
Skills you will learn: Critical thinking, research, writing, public speaking, and digital fluency.
2. Buying a Car Simulation
Subjects: Math, Economics, Science, English, Technology
Buying a car is a big deal for many teens. It's also a complex process that includes budgeting, research, negotiating, and understanding technology. This project simulates the car buying process and allows you to interpret these interesting topics such as financial literacy and consumer science. It will allow you to research models, calculate installments and also give you practical insights when buying your new car.
How to begin:
Research car makes, models, costs, price points, and other features.
Calculate loan payments and insurance and fuel efficiency.
Write an ad or presentation comparing your four finalists. Interview a car dealer or a person who has bought a car recently.
Skills you will learn: Financial literacy, math, research, communication, decision-making.
3. Economic Impact: Local Business and Community
Subject: Economics, Math, Social Studies, English Language Arts, Technology
Investigate how a local business or industry influences your community's economy. This project provides a multidisciplinary experience by merging economics with data analysis, research, and communication. When you examine employment, wages, and the ripple effect of local spending, the experience will use knowledge from all subject areas.
How to begin:
Choose a local business, industry, or sector (grocery store, factory, technology firm, etc.).
Research the establishment from history, size, and role in the community.
Use math to analyze the company's employment figures, wage rate, and local economic impact.
Capture the voice of business owners, employees, or community leaders by interviewing them.
Report your findings in the form of a report, infographic, or digital presentation.
Skills you will learn:Economic reasoning, data analysis, research ability, interviewing, and presentation skills.
4. Story Quilting: Telling Stories and History
Subjects: Literature, History, Math, Art, Technology
Quilting is not just an art form; it’s a way of storytelling, and preserving history. In this project, you will create a quilt after a novel, historical event, life event (your own), based on the idea of storytelling, geometry, and textile art. You can choose from various topics and let art tell the rest of your story in a flow.
How to begin:
Choose a story or historical event that you will represent.
Plan your quilt blocks using geometric patterns.
Explore the history of quilting and what it means in its various forms across cultures.
Document your ability to combine, through photos, videos, or made public as a digital portfolio.
Skills you will learn: Artistic expression, historical knowledge, math (geometry), storytelling.
5. Global Explorer: Design a Cultural Journey
Subjects: Geography, History, Math, Foreign Language, Technology
Do you fantasize about traveling the world? In this project, you will have the chance to plan a week-long trip to your country of choice, right from home! You will explore the culture, history, and language of the country, while preparing an itinerary and budget. You can choose a country you always wanted to visit, completely research on it and then plan an actual trip under your resources.
How to begin:
Choose a country and research the geography, history, and cultural norms
Create a daily itinerary with transportation, lodging, and tourist destinations
Work out costs and create a travel budget
Write travel blogs or develop a digital travel guide
Skills you will learn: Research, budgeting, cultural awareness, and foreign language practice.
6. Math Gym: Physics in Sports
Subjects: Physics, Math, Physical Education, Health
Have you ever thought about how high an athlete jumps or how far they can throw? This project aims to investigate the science of sports. You will analyze the physics involved in your favorite sport, calculate the forces, angles, and reflect on how math and science has improved athletic performance. You will use your skills in math and modelling to create a real model and finally be able to use your physics learnings in real life.
How to begin:
Choose a sport or athletic movement (for example - a basketball shot or a soccer kick).
Record the sport or athletic movement and analyze the video to study the motion.
Use your math skills to determine speed, trajectory, and force.
Present your analysis as a report, poster, or video.
Skills you will learn: Scientific analysis, modeling and calculations using math, presentation.
7. Weather & Society: The Role of Climate
Subjects: Earth Science, Social Studies, Art, Technology
The influence of weather plays a role in virtually everything we do or participate in, from agriculture, to architecture to your day to day. For this project, you will examine local or global weather patterns, and document a situation or scenario where these weather patterns have influenced society from an artistic or social point of view. Or, create art inspired by weather patterns!
How to begin:
Collecting weather data from your area or from the Internet.
Research how weather has influenced local history, culture or economy.
Create visual representations: painting, infographic, digital art.
Skills you will learn: Data Analysis, Research, Creativity, Communication.
8. Field Study: Local Ecosystems
Subjects: Biology, Geography, English, Art
Nothing beats nature as a classroom! For this project, you will conduct a field study of a local park, forest or waterway; identifying plant and animal species, mapping the area and documenting your observations through writing and art.
How to begin:
Select a natural area to study.
Maintain a field journal with sketches, notes, and a species list.
Research the history and current issues of the local ecosystem (pollution, invasive species).
Present your findings in a report or presentation or art exhibit.
Skills you will learn: Observation, scientific research, mapping, art.
9. Water and Human Activity: Science, Society and Arts
Subjects: Chemistry, Social Studies, Media, Arts, Technology
Water is essential to life but not equally accessible everywhere! Examine the quality of water in your community, investigate its history and culture, and use media and arts to educate others about the water issue! You can use your scientific testing and media skills to encourage preservation in this project.
How to begin:
Test water from local sources for pH, contaminants, etc.
Investigate the history of water usage and water management in your local area, including past and current water rights and entitlements.
Develop a podcast, video or social media campaign to promote water conservation awareness.
Create artwork with a water theme for an exhibit at your school or in your community.
Skills you will learn: Scientific testing, research, media, advocacy.
10. Endangered Species Research Project
Subjects: Biology, Math, Geography, Language Arts, Technology
Preserving endangered species is a worldwide problem! For this project you will choose an endangered species at risk, investigate the species and its habitat, and population trends and develop a digital presentation to share with others. You can choose a lesser known species, research it and use data analysis to preserve it in future.
How to begin:
Select an endangered species and investigate its biology and habitat.
Use data and mathematics to analyze the population and population trends.
Map the species’ distribution and identify threats with digital mapping tools.
Produce a report or website to share your findings.
Skills you will learn: Scientific research, data and mapping analysis, digital literacy.
Why Interdisciplinary Projects Matter
Interdisciplinary projects are not just about intermixed subject areas, it is ultimately about changing the way you see and understand the world. When you connect science with art, math with history, and technology with storytelling, you are developing a much broader understanding of complex issues. You are practicing skills that colleges and employers will value: creativity, collaboration, problem solving, communication.
Most importantly, you'll be engaging in projects that will help you figure out what you are passionate about and what you are good at. You may discover you love to design infographics, or that you love to lead a group, or work on scientific research or any number of other passions. The opportunities are endless!
If you are a high school student pushing yourself to stand out in college applications, RISE Research offers a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities around the world.
Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Research’s official website and take your college preparation to the next level!
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